Manchester Adds Paid Firefighters To Town's Emergency Services

MANCHESTER, NJ— Manchester Township now has its first paid firefighters, after nine men and women were sworn in recently as firefighter/emergency medical technicians, the first members of Station 76.

The paid firefighters are an addition to the township's three volunteer fire companies — Manchester, Ridgeway, and Whiting Volunteer Fire Departments — that Mayor Ken Palmer said will "continue to provide essential firefighting services to the residents of the township

The firefighters, who will be on duty during the day, are the newest piece of the township's Emergency Services division, which is headed by Robert Baran. The township created a paid emergency medical services force that began service in March 2020, in addition to its police department.

"We are now the only municipality in the state of New Jersey where police, fire, and EMS will operate under one command as an elite group of highly trained professionals," Manchester Police Chief Lisa Parker said. "One unity of command committed to serving our community. I hope that this becomes the model for other municipalities to follow."

Roger Brown, who has been a volunteer firefighter since he was 19 and a career firefighter with the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Fire Department, was sworn in as captain and will lead and supervise the station.

Also sworn in on the Firefighter's Bible were Andrew Christensen, Michael Ott, Neal Lelievre, Salem Bahr, Mark Costner, John Filardo, Daniel Mechkowski, and Rachel Murray.

All of them have, at minimum, certificates in Firefighter I and Basic EMT. They will undergo additional training at the Toms River Fire Academy and once that training is completed they will be assigned to work the dayshift.

"We are committed to this program and to see it succeed for the betterment of the community," said Palmer, who administered the oaths.

Parker said the nine were chosen from among 60 people who applied. Applicants were tested through the physical agility examination and had to take a written exam. The top scorers then underwent oral interviews. Those candidates considered for employment underwent a thorough background investigation and submitted to medical, psychological, and drug screenings.

Members of the Manchester Township Council, Manchester Township Police Department, and Manchester Township of Emergency Medical Services were in attendance at the swearing-in ceremony to show support and welcome the firefighters.

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